And so, Hopson takes the next level in Smithing, after a certain someone ruined the tie-breaker challenge
This room is packed full of interesting things. Before we start exploring however, it might be smart to deal with that named Zomby.
Easy enough. A vending machine selling craftables, a chest, an already-open Uber Chest (tm), some steak, a lever, and something new: A barbeque! These things have just one purpose that I know of: cooking steaks into Grilled Steaks, allowing them to stack together and restore more health. Sometimes they also contain food (this one contained brie, somehow).
Thanks to the extra Smithing skill and the aluminum sold in the vending machine, Hopson can craft both a Fine Aluminum Cuirass and a pair of Fine Winged Aluminum Boots. Remember, this game is not Dwarf Fortress; that Cuirass has
triple the block chance of our current Iron Breastplate. The Winged Boots aren't quite as large a jump, but still more effective than the bronze greaves we currently have. Both items are forged and worn. I also take the opportunity to forge a Steel Axe with three times the Slashing damage of the old iron one. Smithing really comes in handy with a tanky character like this.
In the Uber Chest(tm). We're just having terrible luck with artifacts lately. Hopson puts it on, but it will likely be switched out at first opportunity.
These look like they will come in handy. Hopson pockets them.
Oh dear. These guys are bad news for Hopson. They have large amounts of physical resistance, which means that even his shiny new steel axe will have a hard time dealing damage. They can also hit like a truck. Rocket-punch time!
Continuing our explorations, we come across a mighty Anvil of Krong! We have all sorts of good, forge-worthy items now, but what we really need is more attack variety. With that in mind, I place the Steel Axe on the anvil!
PRAISE BE TO THE GREAT KRONG! Ruztog, the Nails of Heresies, now deals voltaic damage, has increased mana regen, and can even absorb the life force of our enemies!
Another annoying spellaster. Octos aren't quite as annoying as wraiths, but they deal more damage in melee and seem to be more common.
Another wonderful anvil! Dunno if we should use this one as well. What do you folks think; use or no? If so, what item shall we place?
We find Brax's store nearby. I sell off some useless-but-too-valuable-to-skol items, and browse the merchandise. Sadly, he isn't offering anything interesting.
Found and killed some Mummies inside this bar. This would be heaven if we actually, you know, used mana. Still, these mixed drinks are valuable and thus worth taking along.
ABOUT TIME! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the shrine to the final friendly god in this game: The God of Lutefisk. By tithing lutefisk to that statue, you may earn the god's favor, typically in the form of an artifact. However, the Lutefisk God is a demanding one, and requires large amounts of tithing; for best results, you're supposed to tith 500 pieces of lutefisk at the same time. Needless to say, we don't have nearly enough at the moment.
Hopson finds a seond shop in his explorations. Some pretty nice stuff here, including a clockwork bolt-thrower (at a cool price of 62k zorkmids). There is also an artifat amulet that provides transmutative resistance, at a far more reasonable price. The biggest prize, however, is that humble belt there. Why is that?
This. The Belt of Champions. Hopson shall craft and wear it with pride.
Hell. Yeah. But suddenly--!
A menagerie of strange and horrible monsters that have not yet eaten today demand to face Hopson for the Champion's title!!!
TO BE CONTINUED
